Page 43 of Throne of Dreams
“Yesterday,” Maeve continued, forcing her voice not to shake, “I was on theAmshirwith Aran. I told him I could fly back on my own, so my disappearance is not his fault. But while I was flying, I thought I saw a mortal child stranded on a rock in the middle of the sea. It was foolish of me—”
“It was compassionate of you,” Ceridwen interjected with a kind smile.
Maeve pressed her lips together, then nodded once before continuing, “But when I stopped to help her, I realized it wasn’t a child at all. It was a merrow and she…she took me to Ispomora.”
Merrick’s dark brows shot up, and he tugged on the collar of his shirt. “Holy shit.”
Tiernan took her hand again and threaded his fingers through her own. “Garvan is hunting the merrows.”
His tone was menacing. He radiated wrath.
“He’s skinning them alive,” Maeve added with an undertone of a tremor. “And selling their scales for gold.”
The glass Brynn was holding shattered, and she didn’t at all seem fazed by the way it sliced her skin open. “Fucking bastard.”
Maeve sat up and locked her spine into place. “Queen Marella swore allegiance to Autumn. But Garvan’s crimes against his citizens are treasonous, and I will not allow his treatment of the merrows to go without punishment.”
“Spoken like a true queen.” Merrick’s bright blue gaze locked onto his High King, but Tiernan said nothing. A look passed between them, one Maeve couldn’t decipher.
“Right, kill Garvan.” Brynn swiveled her finger in the air like an imaginary check mark. “I’ll add that to our list of things to do.”
“I haven’t yet vowed an oath to any Court.” Her throat tightened around the words. “But Autumn’s blood runs through my veins. Its essence is in my soul.”
Lir leaned forward and adjusted the sleeves of his indigo shirt. “So, what do you wish to do, my lady?”
She would fight for the Autumn Court, she would fight for those who couldn’t defend themselves. “I’m going to save the merrows.”
“I like it. It’s an excellent campaign slogan.” Merrick ran a hand through his hot pink hair, shoving it back from his face. “Save the merrows.”
“Save the merrows,” Ceridwen repeated, and Merrick flashed her a devastating grin.
Maeve could’ve been mistaken, but she swore the High Princess blushed.
Brynn grabbed another muffin. “Anything else?”
“Yes. The merrows know about me. At least, they know I’m Archfae and that I’m the daughter of Dorian and Fianna. They don’t, however, know about theanam ó Danua.” Maeve looked around the table at all of them while Tiernan slowly traced circles over the back of her hand with this thumb. “They had their suspicions already. When they saw me flying, those suspicions were confirmed.”
“Which means…” Lir trailed off.
“If they know about me, it’s only a matter of time before others do as well.” Others, like Garvan and Shay.
Murmurs of agreement sounded from each of them. All save for Tiernan, who’d been almost painfully silent.
“Alright then.” Brynn stood and adjusted the straps of her corset, tucking a slim blade into one of the gold leather straps. Then she grabbed a toothpick from the small glass jar on the table and rolled it between her lips. “What do we do first?”
“I want to go to the library, there’s a book on—” All thought drained away from her mind when Tiernan grazed a kiss across her knuckles.
In front of them.
“Training first.” Another kiss. This time he lingered. “Then reading.”
“But…” She sent Lir a pleading look. If anyone would come to her rescue, it’d be him.
“Sorry, little bird.” He pressed his lips together to keep from smiling. “The High King has spoken.”
Maeve huffed out a breath.
One day, she told herself. One day they’ll say, “The High Queen has spoken.”
